Written by Megan Corder Tuesday, 22 January 2013 19:21

Former Kent State graduate and Olympic Gold Medalist Gerald Tinker suffered a mild stroke earlier this month and needs financial help from Kent State alumni to cover his medical bills.

Kim Delgado and Wendy Wheaton, friends of Tinkers, organized the Gerald Tinker Fund to help ensure Tinkers financial security during his recovery.

We started the fund to give him time to recuperate, Delgado said. Were trying to get him set up so that he has some kind of stability.

Tinker, who works as a physical trainer, relies on his income on a day-to-day basis. Delgado, who is an actor and screenwriter, has contacted Kent State for alumni support.

We are assisting in trying to make sure that he has a financial foundation to be able to pay his bills and that will be everything from therapy to medications to living expenses while he is rehabbing, Delgado said.

Wheaton, a talent agent for film and television, believes that Tinkers involvement in the community is benefiting the fund.

He is very much in the community, Wheaton said. He is a dynamic kind of guy that has a lot of different relationships with people. From senior citizens, all the way to someone who is in high school that shows potential.

After graduating from Kent State in 1972, Tinker competed in the Olympics that year. He won a gold medal in the 4 x 100 mens relay. Since his experience in the Olympics, he has played football for the Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers.

Delgado, who wrote Gerald Tinkers story for television, said that Tinkers story intrigues him.

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Gerald Tinker, KSU alumnus and former professional athlete, suffered a stroke January and needs financial help to pay ...